Air Truckers Short of Workers

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Air freight traffic is expected to make big gains worldwide this year in weight and revenue. But U.S. air freight truckers fear they may not have all the hands they need to move their share.

An industrywide shortage of drivers, warehousemen and airport cargo personnel was expected to top the list of concerns of participants at the Air Express Motor Carriers Conference annual meeting March 7 to 9 in Las Vegas.

An 11.5% increase in global air freight tonnage is predicted this year, to 29.5 million tons, with a value of about $57 billion. Such a forecast may offer optimism for higher revenues, but it also poses a challenge to air freight truckers.

For the full story, see the March 8 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.